Leo Ruiz isn’t just fighting Elias Haedo on Friday night—he’s fighting for attention, recognition, and maybe even a signature on a promoter’s dotted line.
The 25-year-old Ruiz junior middleweight knows he’s under the radar, but he’s determined to change that with a statement-making performance at the Sala Urbana in Naucalpan de Juárez, Mexico against Elias Haedo.
“You know, at this stage of my career, I feel like I’m under the radar,” Ruiz told BoxingScene. “I do get overlooked sometimes, but I want to make a statement where people see I could be one of these top guys and maybe even a world champion one day.”
Ruiz, 15-0 (8 KOs), trains at Robert Garcia’s renowned Boxing Academy in Riverside, California. Despite not being signed to a major promoter, Ruiz has kept busy with seven wins since returning from a 13-month layoff in 2021. The most notable came in his first 10-round fight, where he jumped from six-rounders to beat then-unbeaten Raul Garcia via split decision on ProBox TV.
“That fight changed my career a lot,” Ruiz explained. “It gave me the confidence that I could compete with good opposition. I went from six-rounders to 10-rounders, and it made me believe in myself.”
Ruiz credits the team atmosphere at the Garcia Academy for his growth. “Robert has a great team around him,” Ruiz said. “Everyone brings a different style and technique. It’s more than just one person—it’s a whole team working together.”
His opponent, Elias Haedo, 15-6 (11 KOs), is a tough 26-year-old from Argentina who has only been stopped twice. Haedo’s lone trip outside Argentina ended in a stoppage loss to Movladdin Biyarslanov in June, but he rebounded with a second-round knockout of Ezequiel Nicolas Albarenga in October.
“Haedo’s tough, no doubt,” Ruiz said. “But every fight is a tough fight. I’m taking this one very seriously. I think this fight could open doors for me—maybe a promoter will take notice and give me a deal.”
Friday’s fight, televised on ESPN+, marks Ruiz’s second 10-round bout and his second time headlining a televised card. For Ruiz, it’s more than just another step—it’s a chance to prove he belongs on boxing’s biggest stages.
“I train hard every day with that mindset,” Ruiz said. “This fight is about showing everyone I’m ready for the next level, bigger fights, bigger stages, and maybe even a title shot down the road.”
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